If you're here, chances are you're getting your very first pre-built gaming PC, or completely revamping your gaming space. In the large sea of products out there, there are must-have gaming accessories (also called peripherals), as well as items that greatly improve the gaming experience without being 100% indispensable. 

Below, we cover all the peripherals you need to get the most out of your gaming experience, as well as how to choose the best gaming accessories - let's have a look:

Must-Have Gaming Accessories

First, we’ll cover the essential accessories for the ultimate gamer setup:

Monitors

This may seem obvious, but if your gaming space has no monitor, you're not going to see anything. No matter if you're getting a dual-screen set-up or a curved monitor, this accessory is what will bring your game to life. 

Some things to consider when buying a monitor to increase game performance are:

Display Resolution

The higher the resolution, the more detail you can see in your games. A simple 1080p monitor will do the trick just fine, but if you're looking to push your graphics to the limits, you can choose a 1440p or even 4k monitor. Here's a quick breakdown:

• 1080p (Full HD): Good for most gaming setups, especially at lower refresh rates.

• 1440p (Quad HD): Offers a step up in image quality, great middle grounds.

• 4K (Ultra HD): Offers the highest image quality, but requires powerful hardware to run at high frame rates.

The monitor should match the output of your graphics card. If your GPU can only reach 1080p, there’s not much point in getting a 4k monitor, as you won’t get to experience its full potential.

Screen Size

A monitor between 21-27" is considered a common size for gaming and will get you decent quality. Larger screens will be more expensive but worth the investment if you’re looking to experience your favourite game in the most immersive way possible.

Refresh Rate

The refresh rate (which you'll usually see as measured in Hertz or Hz) is defined as the number of times the screen image updates per second. Higher refresh rates mean your game's visuals will be smoother, leading to a more satisfying experience (especially if you're a fan of fast-paced shooters and competitive games).

For general gaming on a budget, anything from 60Hz upwards is fine, but most consider 165Hz the top standard nowadays.

Response Time

The response time measures the amount of time it takes for a pixel to change colour on screen, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower response times means less ghosting and motion blur while playing. For competitive gaming, aim for 1ms or faster, but generally 4-5ms should be enough for casual gamers.

Our Gaming Monitor Recs For Best Gaming Performance

Keyboards

While monitors are what display your games and software, keyboards are how you actually interact with your computer. Gaming-focused mechanical keyboards will come with an array of features, such as:

• Mechanical switches

• Tall keycaps

• RGB backlighting

• Macro-mapping

• Media controls

Some keyboards are bigger than others, so make sure to choose a size you're comfortable with. Find our top recs for the perfect gaming setup below, tailored to different budgets and needs:

Mouse

A good quality gaming mouse makes a world of difference compared to your average desktop mouse. Most will come with additional features like quick clicking, vibration, and other customisation options like mouse sensitivity.

Between wired and wireless, the choice purely depends on your preferences and what you're comfortable with.

In our peripherals collection, you can find a wide selection of gaming mice with sleek designs, customisation options, and RGB lights, as well as a 4-in-1 bundle option containing a wired keyboard, mouse, headset, and gaming mat.

Mousepad

During intense gaming moments, you’ll inevitably start dragging your mouse across the desk for maximum precision. If the desk isn’t smooth enough or doesn’t offer the right adherence, you’ll find it difficult to move and might even hinder gameplay.

Most mousepads and gaming mats are usually made from smooth materials, specifically designed for your mouse to easily glide across without any friction. The best part is, you can get a mousepad design that really represents your style, for a gaming set-up that reflects your personality.

Audio Accessories

Besides visuals and easy controls, you'll need to consider the audio accessories. Unlike laptops, which come with integrated sound systems, your gaming PC will require external hardware such as:

Gaming Headset

While a simple pair of headphones could, in theory, work, gaming headsets have the added benefit of having an incorporated microphone. Competitive gamers often need to communicate verbally with their friends or teammates, either via in-game chat or secondary apps like Discord - which is where a mic comes in handy.

Gaming Speakers

If you're not a fan of headsets and want to listen to pumpy game soundtracks or your favourite playlists out loud, you'll need a good pair of speakers that can output rich, crisp audios. Each speaker model comes with differing connection types, including Bluetooth, USB, and wired connections. Here's our top pick for good quality sound experience:

Streaming Accessories

If you want to take your gaming venture even further and start streaming for a wider audience online, your average headset mic won't do. You will need a professional streaming microphone that can output a much crisper voiceover, ensuring your fans can hear you loud and clear.

Other Accessories

There are a few ways to make your gaming experience even more comfortable, by considering additional accessories such as:

Gaming Chair

If you're often engaging in extended gaming sessions, you'll need a good quality gaming chair that keeps you comfortable and your posture healthy. Choose ergonomic designs with lumbar and elbow support and you'll never want to go back to the plain-old office chairs again!

Cable Sleeve Organizer

While you might prefer wireless connections for most of your peripherals, it's a very common experience for gamers to end up with a jumbled mess of cables in their setup. With a good cable organiser, you can keep your cables in order and make full use of your desk space without feeling cramped.

Alex Davis PCs is your trusted ally in all things gaming PCs - from pre-built, powerful gaming rigs to the best PC gaming accessories, we’ve got all you need for an immersive experience during intense gaming sessions. Get started today!